Comminuted Fracture

Overview

What Is a Comminuted Fracture?

A comminuted (kah-muh-NOOT-ed) fracture is a type of broken bone. The bone is broken into more than two pieces.

How Do Comminuted Fractures Happen?

It takes a lot of force for someone to get a comminuted fracture. A car accident or serious fall, for instance, can cause this type of break.

Top Things to Know

• A comminuted fracture happens when a bone breaks into more than two pieces.
• The injured area may be very painful, swollen, bruised, or appear crooked.
• Treatment often includes surgery followed by a cast or splint to protect the bone as it heals.
• The fracture is often caused by a high-impact event, like a car crash or major fall.

Signs & Symptoms

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Comminuted Fracture?

Someone with a comminuted fracture will have signs of a severe broken bone like:

• severe pain
• swelling
• bruising
• deformity (the part of the body could look crooked or different than it did before the injury)

Diagnosis

How Is a Comminuted Fracture Diagnosed?

Doctors order X-rays if they think a bone is broken. If the fracture is comminuted the X-rays will show that the broken bone is in more than two pieces.

Treatment & Care

How Are Comminuted Fractures Treated?

Someone with a comminuted fracture will probably need surgery. Then, the person will need to wear a splint or cast for a while to keep the bone from moving while it heals.